Monday, 13 August 2012

Getting This Show Back On The Road

I have been incredibly busy with all sorts of things other than art and blogland. Now I have one remaining task, a day trip to deliver my daughter to London Airport: she is off to her boyfriend in the US (Denver) for three months. They spend the whole time doing road trips - very few places they hasn't visited. How does she get time off work? He's also her boss ... which kinda helps! Nice work if you can get it!

You may recall that Pat had booked us into various venues where she could sell my pictures. The first one got flooded out with all the rain, but the second one was yesterday, at Wentworth Garden Centre 

I confess to having been sceptical ... a garden centre? Well it was like no other garden centre I've seen ... it was more, 'a way of life!'


 We were sharing space with jewellery makers, glass blowers etc ... no other artists. I had my Yorkshire collection - which everyone admired, but nobody bought ... but ... we sold out of  prints of The Entrance to Poets Corner - Westminster Abbey London, which is pleasing as it is the first time I've offered it to public scrutiny ... apart from my buddies in 'here'.





I also picked up a commission to draw a castle! Will let you know the details as things progress.

Meanwhile I'm doing battle with the most complicated drawing I've ever done The Cloisters at Gloucester Cathedral.  All you Harry Potter fans will know the scene, without knowing that you do, it's one of the main 'corridors' in Hogwart's





24 comments:

  1. Well congrats for the successful showing John! Even if the one did get rained out. :) And I'm so glad you've had success with your prints, they are incredibly lovely. And I can't wait to see the new drawing!!! <3 Harry 4ever!

    Also just read the heading of your blog, I love that romantic truth rather than photographic realism. :)

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  2. Thanks Crystal. The heading represents the words of my hero, Axel Haig.

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  3. Dear John is a pleasure to read your post...everything with such verve!
    Congratulations on the sale of prints: also here in Italy the "gardening" is combined with artistic exhibitions.
    The commitment of your new subject may seem an impossible task for those who do not know what he is capable of an artist like you!

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  4. Thank you, Rita. I hope you enjoyed your vacation. Has your daughter had the baby yet?

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  5. Oh my, that garden center is amazing! I am glad you "sold out" of that beautiful drawing. I am certain all the new owners are very pleased. Congratulations on the commission too. Denver is a wonderful place--("the Mile High City"!)

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    1. Hi Celeste, thanks for your kind comments- My daughter gets altitude sickness for the first few days in Denver!

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  6. Looking forward to the castle and the cloister drawings. I hope you post them :) Congrats on your sales!

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  7. Your drawings are just so beautiful, John. I am so not surprised you picked up a commission. A way of life? That just sounds beautiful as a venue.

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    1. Hi Sherry, thank you! The venue was not what I was expecting! Will drop in later for a coffee!

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  8. Congrats on selling out of your print and on picking up a commission! Am now very jealous of your daughter's American Road Trips - I'd like her job please!

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    1. Yes I bet you would. They go the length and breadth of the US. Last time they stated in Chicago and ended in El Paso via Gracelands and Elvis... and the Grand old Opre!

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  9. Just stopped by to say I'll be back I don't know when. Friday most likely. This thing I got myself involved in is killing me physically and mentally.

    Congratulations on your successes--a commission and a sell out. How lovely to be able to now stand quietly and draw in familiar surroundings and take a break when needed. You lucky guy you.

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    1. Thanks Linda, many sympathies it must be agony. I simply wouldn't be able to physically do it

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  10. Just dropping by to say hello and to wish you luck with The Cloisters!

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    1. My dear girl, how nice to see you ... I thought we had lost you completely. Thank you!

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  11. That's wonderful news! Congratulations - you must feel so proud of yourself! And really. I am not at all surprised :0)

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  12. Hi John, So glad you're back!!! Congratulations on selling your prints.....and a Castle! I am looking forward to seeing this piece ..Hope it will be WIP...and of course the Cloisters will be very interesting!

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  13. Hi Hilda. Thanks, it's nice to be back. I'm not starting the castle just yet, I'm still waiting for the details.

    I'll put up a WIP of the cloisters in the next few days if I can.

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  14. Congratulations are in order! How wonderful that you sold out of Poet's Corner - it is a poetic rendition of an historical place - I am not at all surprised! Wentworth Gardens are extraordinary and a fitting place to display and sell your art. And, of course, many congratulations on your new castle commission! I am very excited for you and excited to see it (and the Cloisters) as well!

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  15. Thank you, Susan - I'll not have the details of the Castle for a few days, but I will put up a WIP of the cloisters tomorrow if time permits.

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  16. It's great to see you back John and hearty congratulations on the sales and the commission. The Cloisters sounds very challenging and I see you've posted some WIP already. I'm off to have a look. ;-)

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